The strategy for the development of the Caribbean Environment Programme responds to the request of the Fourth Intergovernmental and First Contracting Parties Meeting convened in Guadeloupe in October 1987. It has been prepared following an intensive review of the most serious environmental problems affecting the region's marine and coastal resources (Regional Overview of Environmental Problems and Priorities Affecting the Coastal and Marine Resources of the Wider Caribbean). It is also responsive to the findings of the in-depth evaluation of the Programme (The Action Plan for the Caribbean Environment Programme: Evaluation of its Development and Achievements [1976-1987]).